Ophelia's Eulogy (Hamlet's Version)

I once read, “How terrible it is to love something that death can touch”.  I wish I'd known how true this was before it was too late. All I know now is that the one and only woman that I have ever loved is gone and will never be here beside me again.  My dear Ophelia understood me even when I couldn't make sense of my life myself.  She listened and spoke to me when I needed it the most.  . To just think how I just threw it all away because I was helpless to my own selfless. I can't bear to think of it anymore, it pains me too much to. 

I’m just blessed and lucky enough to be the guy she loved once.  She always brought me up when I was down and the one time she needed me, I wasn't able to be there. My heart breaks knowing I should have been there for, instead I was off putting my life first. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. But no more of my blame, I’d rather talk about the good times we both shared together rather than the bad.  She always hated more than anything to see people cry, so instead today we should celebrate her life. The very life she gave so much of to us.

Like every couple, we fought but in the end we remembered our love was stronger and we'd make up. Our love was tested when people tried to tear us apart, which made it impossible each day I woke to not think of her. But Ophelia will forever be in my heart as the years go on. She was my love and will forever remain as that.  Rather than forget about the love we once shared, I'll constantly remember her angelic face.  No one can replace my feelings or even tell me I didn't love her like I speak now.  If I was able to speak to Ophelia one last time I'd remind her about my love for her.

I was asleep then, but I am wide awake now. And I wish I knew then what I know now because the first chance I got, I would have proposed and made Ophelia the happiest wife alive.  I loved her and always will, forever and ever.

One day, we will be reunited in heaven my dear Ophelia, till that day, I’ll miss you. 

Hamlet's Dilemma

 A question that has been asked and argued for years is why does Hamlet hesitate when going to kill King Claudius? On one hand he wishes to kill Claudius for murdering his father so harshly, but on the other hand Hamlet just cannot bring himself to commit the act. This hesitation comes when Hamlet realizes that Claudius is confessing his sins to God. Hamlet believes that if Claudius is confessing his sins when the act is committed, then he will go to heaven, and that is not what he wishes for the murderer of his father. That is when Hamlet decides that he will instead kill his uncle Claudius at a later time. But has Hamlet just given up the only chance of killing the murderer of his father? Or has Hamlet made the right choice in “backing down” now and choosing a later time to kill?

Now, I understood Hamlet’s thought processes of not wanting the murderer of his father to not go to heaven. But at the same time how could Hamlet really think that just because you confessed to something it makes it all better? If you listened closely to Claudius’s confession, he asks forgiveness for ONLY killing his brother and not taking all that came with it. Claudius basically said “sorry God, I want to apologize and get rid of all the bad but let me keep the good”.  If Hamlet would have killed Claudius there at that time, there was no way he would have gone to heaven. I do believe in all that.

But, I believe Hamlet made the right decision by not being a man of action and waiting to kill his uncle Claudius at a later time. Confused? You see, I believe that no good could have come from killing Claudius.  If Hamlet cared so much about heaven and hell than wouldn't he knows he could not go to heaven for killing one. So by Hamlet saying that he would kill Claudius at a later time, maybe this will give Hamlet time to really think and realize that maybe killing his uncle is not the best idea in the world. Yes, his uncle Claudius killed his father but there are other ways he can pay rather than Hamlet throwing away his life as well. 

To Be or Not To Be

"To be, or not be, that is the question-". For some reason, we can all quote it. But what does this famous word even mean? Hamlet, even though alone, starts to express his thoughts on how he feels about the pain that life bring and the fear of uncertainty death. But at this point as reader, you start to wonder if Hamlet has really gone crazy with all the tragedy that has happens to him or if he’s still faking it.

Olivier's version takes place on top of the rock I believe, near the water. This adds the perspective that Hamlet’s really trying to reflect.  Also, the fogginess that consumes the air certainly reflects Hamlet's state of mind. Olivier’s consent close ups to Hamlet’s forehead shows that these are his thoughts and not just a speech he is giving like that in the Ghost scene. The Hamlet in this version though seems more half asleep than that of being depressed. That said, I did not like Olivier's version. It all seemed to dull to me. I felt like the scene could have been better.

 Branaugh's version takes place in a royal castle with Hamlet looking at him in the mirror, as if looking in his own eyes for answers. It’s a battle that everyone hates to face, you vs. yourself; cause you lose either way in the end. Another thing Branaugh's adds to his version is that Hamlet is being spied on by the men, which goes to show you that Hamlet is always being watched even when he wants to have time for his own private thoughts. Branaugh's version is still my favorite once again. While Hamlet gives his speech not only is there a sound track in the background that adds some eeriness to the scene, but Hamlet’s sort-of whisper creates this attention grader to the end.

Zeffirelli's version was an emotional one. It takes place below the castle where the dead people are. In this version the actor that portrays Hamlet did an amazing job showing the pain and struggle that Hamlet was going through. Not only did the actor show this with his eyes well, but with his body language throughout the scene and his tone of voice. I think it’s inserting that Zeffirelli’s choose the setting he did considering Hamlet is completing death.  Of all versions, Zeffirelli’s version displays the sanest Hamlet. This only version where Hamlet knows suicide cannot be an answer.

Almereyda's version is the most inserting being the modernist version. This version takes place of all places, blockbuster. Hamlet is wearing a hat that clearly doesn't go with his suit; I believe it is to show you that Hamlet’s mind is a mess at the time. In this version Hamlet never really speaks at first, he’s just walking down the movie aisles. In the beginning the speech is just happening in his head. Though while walking down the aisle, a scene of someone dying in being played. This once again is inserting, because Hamlet is completing death at at while.

Ghost scene

Director Zeffirelli takes a more calmer approach than all the other directors I believe. Yes, when the scene began Hamlet was seen in a way to be freaking out looking for something or someone when on the roof, then he turned to find his dad's ghost behind him sitting across from him. Hamlet's father's ghost then begins to talk with a soothing tone in his voice as Hamlet listens. Which is where I believe the director took the calmer approach in makeing the scene between Hamlet and his Father's ghost just a scene where a father tries to warn his son without trying to scare him.

Director Branagh takes more of a eerie approach to the ghost scene. The constant close-ups and the manner in how Hamlet's Father ghost's whispers sends chills down your spine. The setting being in a wood-like area with smoke in the ground adds to the eerie effects also, not to mention the sound track in the background.  Branagh also not only choose to show the way Hamlet's father died, but also reason why his own brother would kill him ; which I loved, that choice was a bright way to give a lot more to the everyone watching.

Director Almereyda was the one with the bold idea to modernize  Hamlet which is hard considering he stuck with the original language.  But in the Ghost scene one thing I did notice was that Hamlet Father's ghost used a handkerchief to keep checking his ear where he would have been poisoned, which I thought was really smart of the director. Opposite to both other takes, the lighting was off. It was dim in the apartment, which I understand why, but I felt it away from the scene.

If I were to adapt the ghost scene I would go more towards the way Director Branagh went. I think the eeriness to the scene makes you hang on to every word Hamlet's Father ghost's says. Which is great because then you don't get lost in the words in says and you understand all that has happened which I believe is very important in this scene. Also the flashback is a genies way to show the audience what occur when Hamlet's father was murdered.